Sowore Storms NYSC HQ To Demand Raye’s Discharge Certificate

Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and former presidential candidate, on Tuesday stormed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja to demand the release of the discharge certificate for corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye.”

Sowore arrived alongside fellow activists, including human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who is also Raye’s legal representative. He had earlier announced on X that they would be at the Maitama office by 9 a.m. to ensure Raye gets her certificate, vowing that the alleged injustice against her would not stand.

Raye had accused the NYSC of withholding her discharge certificate because she criticised the Bola Tinubu administration. However, the NYSC dismissed the claim, stating that her certificate was withheld for disciplinary reasons.

In a statement on Sunday, the NYSC explained that Raye was one of 131 corps members whose service years were extended after failing to attend the mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance. It stressed that the decision was in line with NYSC Bye-Laws and not politically motivated, describing the social media claims as “entirely unfounded and false.”

The NYSC further noted that her service year was extended by two months and that the same disciplinary measures apply to all affected corps members without exception.